CARTUnit6Animalhandl ing6 07

Learning objectives: animal handling: 

Learning objectives: animal handling Describe the basic physical and instinctive differences between prey and predator animals. Describe key handling, transportation and safety issues in dogs and cats Identify key handling, transportation and safety issues for other common companion animal types. Identify key handling and safety issues related to common livestock species.

Predator vs. Prey: 

Predator vs. Prey

Predators: 

Predators Vision Binocular Depth perception Tracking/focus Instincts Hunt Chase Kill Individual or small pack/pride

Prey: 

Prey Vision Wide field Maximum field defense Instincts Herd Escape Protect young

Primates: 

Primates

Domestication: 

Domestication Domestication Breeding for compliance, trust, calm = selection against survival instincts Predators: selection for non-dominant, juvenile behavior Selection for food, fiber or work traits

2. Companion Animal Issues: 

2. Companion Animal Issues

Canine Body Language: 

Canine Body Language Not the same as human body language! Some breeds harder to interpret

Calm/relaxed signs: 

Calm/relaxed signs No sustained direct eye contact Ears relaxed Tail wagging Natural stance Not crouched Small pupils Drawings courtesy of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Happy/playful: 

Happy/playful Wagging tail Play bows May bark and jump around

Canine greetings: 

Canine greetings Normal male greeting Submissive dog greeting another dog Must allow time for canine formalities to proceed

Fearful: 

Fearful Crouched (may roll over completely) Tail tucked, ears pinned back Hackles may be up Whining/vocalization Urination, defecation Shaking, panting Same signs as pain

Submission: 

Submission Very important in K-9 social interactions Ears folded Inferior position No sustained eye contact Urination or even defecation On back for full submission Full canine submission

Fearful and aggressive: 

Fearful and aggressive Fearful, but showing willingness to bite Dangerous, but often can diffuse fear with calm, and very gradual approach

Dominance Aggression: 

Dominance Aggression Eyes-locked stare Pupils dilated Erect ears Hackles up Piloerection Growling/snarling VERY DANGEROUS

For dogs showing fear: 

For dogs showing fear If not an experienced handler, seek assistance Don’t approach them without having help in the immediate area. Go slow If possible, get them to come to you!

For dogs not showing aggression:: 

For dogs not showing aggression: Don’t Stare at a dog Use a loud voice Move rapidly towards them Loom over them Grab them by the collar Do Avoid prolonged direct eye contact Use a soft voice Turn sideways Make yourself smaller Use a slip leash

What am I thinking?: 

What am I thinking?

For Dogs Showing Overt Aggression: 

For Dogs Showing Overt Aggression Call animal control or law enforcement Control stick (rabies pole) Chemical capture Lethal force may be justified in some circumstances Amateur misconceptions “dogs really love me” “I really relate to animals” “a dog would never bite me”

Restraint: 

Restraint Leashes Slip-type DO NOT USE LEASHES THAT ATTACH TO THE COLLAR! You may wind up holding a leash and a collar and chasing a dog. Improvised leashes Rope, baling twine, wire, belts, or ???? Muzzles

CATS: 

CATS

Feline Body Language: 

Feline Body Language Offensively threatening cats will show: Standing, rear higher than front, tail down. Direct eye contact or staring. Ears out to side of head. Growls or hisses Fearful cats will show: Crouched body posture or lying down. Ears flat against the head. Looks away or avoids eye contact. Tries to get away or hide. NOTE: Cats do not show submissive behavior.

Normal Cats: 

Normal Cats Easiest when the owner is present! For ASAR teams May have a favorite hiding place! Speak softly & move slowly See if they will come to you Tap a cat food can with a spoon

Unhappy Cats:  5 POINTS of CONTACT!: 

Unhappy Cats: 5 POINTS of CONTACT! Weapons Four feet with multiple razors Mouth full of teeth Lightning speed Cat bites almost always become infected!

Out of control fractious cats: 

Out of control fractious cats Back off-allow to calm down if possible Protective equipment Gloves Double thick or armored Heavy Coat Eye protection Fishing nets, blankets Traps, cat grabbers This is really a job for professionals!

Other Species: 

Other Species Birds, reptiles, amphibians, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, etc………. Many are temperature sensitive Can’t get too cold or too hot Many are stress sensitive May be difficult to handle May be dangerous

Companion Animal Transportation : 

Companion Animal Transportation Pet carriers Cats Pillow cases Boxes with air holes Dogs Leashed/tethered Don’t mix animals together (unless sure) Watch for heat stress

3. Livestock handling!: 

3. Livestock handling!

Equine Handling Methods: 

Equine Handling Methods Horse Techniques Control the head! Use a halter/lead rope Calm, soft voice No sudden moves Watch deadly zones “It ain’t no rodeo!”

Losing Your Temper: 

Losing Your Temper Losing your temper with horses and other livestock typically serves to make things worse! Be smarter Be careful Be patient

Cattle: 

Cattle Cattle techniques Halter Lariat Herding Single Small Herd Panels/alleyways Safety fencing

Herding: 

Herding RULES OF THUMB IF YOU CHASE THEM, THEY WILL RUN! Boots and a hat don’t make a cowboy You need be smarter than those you are herding! Establish a plan before you act Everybody uses the same plan! Use only as many as you need

Basics of Handling Cattle: 

Basics of Handling Cattle Illustration courtesy of Dr. Temple Grandin Colorado State University www.templegrandin.com www.grandin.com

Swine: 

Swine Large swine Herding Panels/alleyways Hog Snares Lariats (very difficult to use) Hearing protection concerns when working in close

Small ruminants: 

Small ruminants Llamas and alpacas Usually halter broken Approach and handle more like horses than cattle & sheep Can spit when upset! Sheep & goats Usually herd Small enough to restrain manually

Most common reasons for injury: 

Most common reasons for injury Some major causes of animal handling accidents are: fearful, agitated animals faulty equipment male dominance aggression maternal aggression Reducing fear improves both animal welfare and safety List adapted from Temple Grandin, Colorado State University

Wildlife Issues:: 

Wildlife Issues: Colorado DOW is the authority for wildlife issues Support Rehabilitation facilities Veterinary hospitals Only trained personnel should attempt to handle or transport wildlife